Roof gutter and downspout and punch therefor

ABSTRACT

This invention is concerned with a portable punch and the simplification of the attachment of a downspout to a rain gutter for a roof. The gutter is punched to form a downspout opening having integral downwardly extending tabs surrounding the opening and to which the downspout can be secured. The punch includes male and female dies and guide and lever means for moving the male die into the female die.

United States Patent [191 Dewey ROOF GU'ITER AND DOWNSPOUT AND PUNCHTHEREFOR [76] Inventor: Herbert F. Dewey, 1368 Mac Dr., Stow, Ohio 44224[22] Filed: Nov. 29, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 310,427

[52] US. Cl 72/325, 72/451, 83/634 [51] Int. Cl B2ld 31/02 [58] Field ofSearch 72/325, 479, 451, 458, 72/459,.324, 326; 83/632, 634, 660, 684

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4l,86l 3/l864 Renfrew 83/6341,044,283 ll/l9l2 Stanger 72/325 l, 054,l32 2/l9l3 Miner 72/451 [11]3,821,890 [451 July 2,1974.

5/1965 Richards, Sr. 83/634 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Metal Working Production(British Pub.) p. 857, Vol.

99, N0. 19, May 13, 1955. I

Primary Examiner-Richard J. Herbst Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Oldham &Oldham C0.

[5 7] ABSTRACT This invention is concerned with a portable punch and thesimplification of the attachment of a downspout to a rain gutter for aroof. The gutter is punched to form a downspout opening having integraldownwardly extending tabs surrounding the opening and to which thedownspout can be secured. The punch includes male and female dies andguide and lever means for moving the male die into the female die.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENFEDJuL 2 I974 L/V-KJ Q IO) l4 I7 20FIG.2

ROOF GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT AND PUNCH THEREFOR SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONI-Ieretofore it has been common practice in securing downspouts to raingutters to require a separate, i.e., additional connector to achieve theconnection. Such additional connectors added cost to the installation bythe price of the connectors, and by the cost of the additional laborrequired for installation.

The present invention has as its object the elimination of such extraconnectors and the elimination of work back in the sheet metal shop, bythe provision of a portable tool usable on the job to simultaneouslypunch frictional attaching tabs and a downspout opening in a raingutter. Thereafter, a downspout is simply frictionally stabbed onto theattached tabs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable tool asdescribed wherein male and female dies of substantially rectangularshape in cross section punch a vertically downward triangular tab alongeach side of a substantially rectangular opening in the bottom of a raingutter.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simplified,improved combination of rain gutter and downspout characterized byrelatively low cost, ease of assembly, desirability of location andwatertightness.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the portable punching tool of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the right end of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of FIG. 1 but showingthe end of the work stroke of the dies; and

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the rain gutter and downspoutcombination of the invention.

In the drawings, the numeral indicates generally a portable tool basemade of angle iron feet 12 and thin metal plate sides 14. At one end ofthe base, the plates 14 are extended upwardly at 16 and support betweenthem a female die 18. The die 18 is further supported on a top 20 weldedto the base 10.

Pivotally supported on a bolt 22 extending between the side plates 14 ofthe base 10 are two horizontally extending tubes 24 which slidablysupport posts 26 welded to a male die 28 which slides on the cover 20into and out of operating relation with female die 16.

Lever operated toggle linkage is provided to move the male die 28. Thistakes the form of an L-shaped lever 30 pivotally secured at 32 to ashaft extending between the tubes 24. An adjustable length link 34 ispivotally secured at 36 to the male die 28 and pivotally to the lever 30at 38.

The length of the link 34 is adjustable so that the male die 28 bottomsthe work piece against the female die 18 as seen in FIG. 4 when thethree pivots 32, 38 and 36 come substantially into line. As the pivotscome into line, a very high force can be imparted to the work by thelever 30.

As seen in the drawings, the gutter G, which is the work piece, has aflat bottom portion, an integral right angle back flange, and anintegral substantially right angle front flange. The gutter G rests withits base against the female die 18 and its back flange against the top20 (see FIG; 1). It will be understood that the area of the bottomportion of the gutter which is positioned over the female die 18 is thearea in which the downspout opening is to be made.

In the form of the invention illustrated, the downspout D (see FIG. 5)is rectangular in cross section. The dies 18 and 28 have a similar shapein cross section so that the operation of the dies on the gutter Gproducesfour substantially triangular tabs 40 extending downwardly atright angles around the rectangular opening in the bottom of the gutter.These tabs 40 engage frictionally with the inside of the downspout tohold it tightly to the gutter G in watertight relation. If desired,sheet metal screws (not shown) may be used to assist in holding thedownspout D to the tabs 40. Providing the male die 28 with a pointed endas shown assists in cutting and forming the tabs 40.

Side plates 14 may be extended upwardly, as shown at 17, at-the lefthandend of the apparatus of FIG. 1, to provide stops for stripping thegutter G from the male die 28 upon the movement of the male die out ofthe female die.

By the provision of the described punching apparatus, actually on thejob location where rain gutters and downspouts are being installed, theinstallation can proceed with 'less labor and parts than heretofore, andat noteworthy savings of time and money.

While in accord with the patent statutes, a best known embodiment of theinvention has beenshown and described, it is to be understood that theinvention is not to be limited thereto and that the scope of theinvention is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable tool for punching a plurality of right angle tabs in adownward direction from the flat bottom portion of a rain gutter,including a base, female die means at one end of the base for supportingthe bottom portion of the gutter, male die means, guide and lever meansfor moving the male die means into the fe-' male die means, said diemeans being substantially rectangular in cross section so that the rightangle tabs are four in number, one tab along each side of the openingpunched, the lever means including toggle linkage, means in the linkagefor adjusting the length of the die stroke, and flange means on the basefor stripping the gutter from the male die means.

2. A portable tool as in claim 1 where the guide included a membersecured to the male die means, a second member for telescopicallyengaging the first member, the second member being pivotally mounted onthe base.

3. A portable tool as in claim 2 where the male die means slidablyengages the base and can be raised thereabove as the lever means isretracted to inoperative position. I Y

4. The tool as in claim 1 wherein the male die means is slidably mountedon a tool base, and said guide and lever means include telescopicmembers.

5. The tool as in claim 1 wherein the lever means include a togglelinkage, and telescoping guide members operatively engage the said maledie means.

1. A portable tool for punching a plurality of right angle tabs in adownward direction from the flat bottom portion of a rain gutter,including a base, female die means at one end of the base for supportingthe bottom portion of the gutter, male die means, guide and lever meansfor moving the male die means into the female die means, said die meansbeing substantially rectangular in cross section so that the right angletabs are four in number, one tab along each side of the opening punched,the lever means including toggle linkage, means in the linkage foradjusting the length of the die stroke, and flange means on the base forstripping the gutter from the male die means.
 2. A portable tool as inclaim 1 where the guide included a member secured to the male die means,a second member for telescopically engaging the first member, the secondmember being pivotally mounted on the base.
 3. A portable tool as inclaim 2 where the male die means slidably engages the base and can beraised thereabove as the lever means is retracted to inoperativeposition.
 4. The tool as in claim 1 wherein the male die means isslidably mounted on a tool base, and said guide and lever means includetelescopic members.
 5. The tool as in claim 1 wherein the lever meansinclude a toggle linkage, and telescoping guide members operativelyengage the said male die means.